The Hampden-Sydney Tigers are rewriting the record books while
winning big game after big game. Arguably the biggest win in the
program's 119-year history, the first victory in six attempts in
the NCAA playoffs, earned the Tigers a trip across the country to
face perennial powerhouse Linfield. While many are writing off the
Tigers as the next team to finish its season in the "Catdome,"
Hampden-Sydney is excited for the challenge.

"This is a great opportunity for us, against a very good team,"
Tigers quarterback Nash Nance said. "This is a business trip, and
it will bring our team a lot closer together. We're staying
focused, but we're still going to enjoy it."

Nance is no stranger to boarding a plane with his teammates for
a long road trip into a hostile environment. He spent two years as
a backup at the University of Tennessee before transferring to
Hampden-Sydney. He has flown from Knoxville to "The Swamp" in
Gainesville, Fla. and "Death Valley" in Baton Rouge, La. The
Catdome -- formally Maxwell Field -- in McMinnville, Ore. is next
on his itinerary. Another flight with teammates was unexpected when
he transferred to a Division III program. Such flights are rare,
but usually mean one thing: you're playing for one of the last
teams standing in the playoffs.

"This is something that I'm used to, coming from the SEC," said
Nance of the long flight. "Still, this is something really special
that we'll be able to tell our kids and grandkids about. It's going
to be a fun atmosphere."

The Tigers have been playing with their backs against the wall
since losing an ODAC game to Shenandoah on Oct. 26. Hampden-Sydney
crushed then league-leading Guilford on the road, beat defending
ODAC champion Washington and Lee at home, then held off rival
Randolph-Macon on the road by stopping a two-point conversion
attempt and recovering an onside kick with 95 seconds to play.

"From the Guilford game, it was win or go home," said wide
receiver Holton Walker. "We closed the season having to beat three
good teams. That definitely prepared us for the playoffs."

Then, the Tigers earned a favorable playoff draw, hosting USA
South champion Maryville. The Scots were making their first playoff
appearance, but put up a fight in one of the opening round's most
entertaining battles. Hampden-Sydney prevailed, 42-34. Walker, the
leading receiver in the nation this year with 141.7 yards per game,
keyed the Tigers' first playoff win. He racked up 268 yards on a 16
receptions (both school records) and scored three touchdowns.
Walker had 224 yards and all three of his scores in the first half.
Nance and Walker have built up a solid rapport in their two seasons
and counting together.

"I trust him and he trusts me," said Walker. "We've become good
friends, we communicate every single day, and our chemistry
continues to grow."

"Having targets like Michael Mey and Holton Walker, you trust
that you can get them the ball and they can do some special things
with it," said Nance. "I think that that trust works both
ways."

The offense that averages 447.4 yards per game will face its
toughest task of the season, by far. Linfield gives up just 250.3
yards per game, seventh in the nation. The Wildcats also boast the
No. 7 scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 12 points per
game. The Tigers average 35.5 points per game.

"We've seen some good defenses, but none as good as Linfield,"
said Walker.

Linfield's defense has overcome several obstacles this year to
remain among the nation's best. Projected starters Marq Randall, a
defensive tackle, and Brynnan Hyland, a defensive end, have missed
the entire season. Defensive tackle Tyler Steele suffered an injury
in the regular season finale that will keep him out of the
playoffs. Hyland and Steele were both preseason All-Americans.
Hyland was a 2012 first team All-American defensive end. He has
been helping his young replacements get up to speed all season.

"I'm not surprised, because they were all good players to start
with," said Hyland. "They have really been able to slow down and
just have fun out there."

Sophomore Alex Hoff went from long snapper to first-team
all-conference defensive end. Defensive tackle Jeremy Girod emerged
as a force in the interior, leading the Wildcats with six sacks and
13 tackles for loss. He entered the year as one of six men at his
position with experience. Only three remain healthy.

"The morale here at Linfield is that people always step up to
the occasion," said Girod. "When it's your shot, you make it worth
it."

Steele and Hyland are serving as extra coaches on the sideline,
while defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jackson
Vaughan focuses on the defense as a whole. Their influence has had
a positive impact on the always-aggressive Linfield front.

"We may be undersized, but we are fast and athletic," said
Girod. "The key is the mentality of our defensive line and how
we're coached to just get after it. It's a lot of fun to play
here."

The defensive linemen are more than just gap pluggers in
Linfield's system. The Wildcats' 4-2-5 scheme features stunts that
allow every linemen to make big plays.

"We play quick and we're put in position by the defensive scheme
to take the brakes off and just go," said Hyland. "Also, we're
prepared mentally, which allows you to just get in position and
play. We can throw a lot of different looks at people and our guys
are all really versatile."

The Wildcats rank fourth in the nation in turnover margin, and
turnovers have been Hampden-Sydney's weakness all year. Nance has
thrown 14 interceptions and the Tigers have lost nine fumbles. The
key matchup will be Nance's ability to make good decisions under
pressure from the Wildcats' front seven.

"I don't think we've seen a defensive line as big and athletic
as Linfield's," said Nance. "We'll have to keep them honest with
our play calling and I have to do a good job of recognizing their
coverages and fronts. We have to take what they give us."

The underdogs are not lacking confidence. In some ways, it may
help that they have no experience of playing in the Catdome. It may
also help that the majority of Linfield students will be home for
the Thanksgiving break. Traveling approximately 2,854 miles on
Thanksgiving is more than worth it. For the Tigers, this is just
the next in a growing streak of make-or-break games.

"I get to spend Thanksgiving with my team. We're only one of 16
teams able to do that," said Walker. "We're going out to play an
established team. That will be good for us."

"We think we're one of the best teams they've faced, too," said
Nance.